Good morning and welcome to the Monday briefing. Music, music, music Eastern New Mexico University in Portales will host the Junior Voice Recital of Nicole Flores 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 at Buchanan. The event is free and open to the public. The recital will feature three exclusive arrangements of Italian art songs for voice […]

Courtesy photo: Johnny Mulhair Country music singer Will Banister will be performing Saturday at the Lyceum Theatre in Clovis. Freedom New Mexico Country singer Will Banister will be performing 7 p.m. Saturday at the Lyceum Theatre in celebration of his upcoming appearance at the Country Music Festival at Wembley Stadium in England. Tickets are available […]

Courtesy photo: Chamber of Commerce Will Banister and the Mulberry Band performed at the Clovis Music Festival in September. Alisa Boswell Musical talent is not a scarce thing in the Clovis and Portales areas. Many local musicians have the ambition to go all the way to stardom with their musical talents and considering the recent […]

CNJ staff A 43-year-old Clovis woman was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison for second degree murder. Robbin Banister pleaded guilty to the crime earlier this year, but sentencing was postponed for evaluations, according to a press release from District Attorney Matthew Chandler. The sentence is the maximum for second degree murder. Chandler said […]

Robbin Banister pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison. Clovis, NM: Ninth Judicial District Attorney Matthew Chandler announced that Robbin Banister, age 43, was sentenced today for one-count of Second Degree Murder. Banister pled guilty to the crime earlier this year but sentencing was postponed until a diagnostic […]

Freedom New Mexico Charges of manufacturing a controlled substance were filed in magistrate court on Wednesday against three subjects arrested in connection with seized meth labs in Portales. Manufacturing charges were filed against Cody Banister, 27, Brandy Rury, 24 and Troy Thompson, 29. “The investigation is still ongoing and there could be additional arrests and […]

By Sharna Johnson: CNJ staff writer Cruising Main Street, hanging out at the mall, and gathering in parking lots are part of teen culture. So is angst and mischief. Police were called Friday to assist security officers at North Plains Mall when more than 80 youth gathered in a parking lot, according to dispatcher call […]

Monica Vigil and her uncle, Leroy Cordova, shop for bargains Friday at Wal-Mart. (CNJ correspondent: Martha Richardson) By Helen Rodriguez: Freedom Newspapers The early bird gets the laptop. That’s the lesson Kelah Sephus learned as she and many others lined up at the Clovis Super Wal-Mart on Black Friday hoping to get one of a […]

Sylvia (Susie) Faye Wagner, 59, of Clovis, died Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2005, at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock after a lengthy illness. She was born Sept. 15, 1946, in Clovis to Sylvester (Vester) Banister and Faye Morgan. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by two daughters, Heather Wagner of Clovis […]

By Andy Jackson: CNJ staff writer A summer swoon brought on by the announcement that Cannon Air Force Base was targeted for closure appears to be easing, according to area officials. Gross receipts taxes for the first nine months of this year are up 7.84 percent from 2005 and 36 percent from 2001. Gross receipts […]

CNJ Photo: Eric Kluth Karen Banister, right, talks with project manager Monte Graham after the dedication for the first Habitat House in Clovis Tuesday at 917 Hinkle Street. Banister will move into the house with her two granddaughters. Tonya Garner: CNJ Staff Writer Struggling to hold back tears, Karen Banister sat tightly clutching her infant […]

By Leslie Radford: CNJ staff writer Family members remember Danny Thomas as a talented musician with a big heart — and an ugly dog. Aunt Bobbie Banister said she will miss his singing most of all. “One man told me one time that if you drink just three beers, (Thomas) would sound like Willie Nelson,” […]

By Marlena Hartz: CNJ staff writer The phones at North Plains Mall have been ringing constantly, property manager Cindy Banister said. In the past week, Banister said she has fielded anywhere from 50 to 100 calls — all inquiries concerning the approaching Base Realignment and Closure regional hearing. At the North Plains Mall, in the […]

Karen Banister, second from left, looks at the new plans for her house Wednesday at 917 Hinkle Street in Clovis. (Staff photo: Eric Kluth) By Leslie Radford: CNJ Staff writer Tears flooded Karen Banister’s eyes as she dug the shovel into the dry dirt at the location of what will be her new home at […]

Blockbuster in Clovis shuts down The Blockbuster video store on North Prince Street shut down about two weeks ago, said Cindy Banister, North Plains Mall manager. She said they moved out because they just weren’t productive in Clovis. “We’re looking to get a restaurant in that building,” she said. She added while many prospective renters […]

Kamron Canchola, 5, of Clovis, takes a swing at a junk car during a car bash Sunday at the Smoke on the Water celebration at Greene Acres Park. (Staff photo: Eric Kluth) By Darrell Todd Maurina: CNJ Staff Writer Whether relaxing with friends, visiting out-of-state relatives, working in public safety jobs, or working to keep […]

By Glen Seeber: CNJ staff writer Black plastic covered the fronts of two businesses in North Plains Mall Monday — L.A. Subs and C.N. Express — leaving employees and shoppers no option but to seek food elsewhere. The closings are temporary, according to Cindy Banister, property manager for North Plains Mall. But not so temporary […]

By Ryan Lengerich: CNJ staff writer Clovis Municipal Schools Board of Education member George Banister resigned Friday, saying he no longer enjoys holding the position. Banister delivered a letter to Board President Lora Harlan indicating his resignation as District 2 board member effective immediately. “I have enjoyed the several years I have served and have […]

Freedom Newspapers No one was surprised Tuesday when the Clovis Municipal School Board voted to continue its long-standing 6:30 a.m. monthly meetings. This board of veteran community members has shown little interest in change. And certainly it has little interest, if any, for issues that board newcomer Mark Lansford raises — especially his ideas for […]

Darrell Todd Maurina The Clovis School Board voted Tuesday to reject a survey previously approved that would have questioned students regarding their sexual activity, drug and alcohol abuse, and guns in parents’ homes. The 3-2 vote rescinded a Sept. 9 vote to conduct the survey at Yucca Junior High and Clovis High School. Board member […]